Prince Frank LittlerCBE (25 July 1901 – 1973) born Prince Frank Richeux, was an English theatre proprietor, impresario, and television executive.
Life and careeredit
Littler was born in Ramsgate, Kent, in the south east of England, the elder son in the family of five children of Jules Richeux (1863–1911), a cigar importer, and his wife, Agnes May, née Paisey (b. 1874). Richeux became a theatrical proprietor, leasing the Ramsgate Victoria Pavilion from 1906, while Agnes Richeux leased the Artillery Theatre, Woolwich, from 1909. After Richeux's death, his widow married, in 1914, the theatre manager Frank Rolison Littler (1879–1940), who adopted the five children, all of whom took his surname.[1] The younger son Emile, and one of the daughters, Blanche, also went into theatrical management.[2]
With Blanche, Littler started a theatrical career in 1927, assembling small companies for provincial tours.[2] After a stint as resident manager of his parents' theatre in Woolwich, he became an independent theatre owner in 1931, buying two theatres in Leicester. The following year he married a widow, Annie Leonora Maclachlan, an actress, professionally known as Norah Delaney. There were no children of the marriage. Over the following years he bought theatres in Manchester and Norwich. His first London productions were pantomimes at the Coliseum, the Prince's, and Drury Lane.[2]
In 1957, Littler was appointed CBE.[3] He retired from production in 1966, and died at his home in Sussex in 1973 at the age of 72.[2]
Notesedit
^ abcdMorley, Sheridan, "Littler, Prince Frank (1901–1973)", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004, online edition, October 2009, retrieved 5 August 2014 (subscription or UK public library membership required)
^ abcde"Mr Prince Littler", The Times, 14 September 1973, p. 18
Gaye, Freda, ed. (1967). Who's Who in the Theatre (fourteenth ed.). London: Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons. OCLC 5997224.
January 01, 1970
prince, littler, prince, frank, littler, july, 1901, 1973, born, prince, frank, richeux, english, theatre, proprietor, impresario, television, executive, life, career, editlittler, born, ramsgate, kent, south, east, england, elder, family, five, children, jule. Prince Frank Littler CBE 25 July 1901 1973 born Prince Frank Richeux was an English theatre proprietor impresario and television executive Life and career editLittler was born in Ramsgate Kent in the south east of England the elder son in the family of five children of Jules Richeux 1863 1911 a cigar importer and his wife Agnes May nee Paisey b 1874 Richeux became a theatrical proprietor leasing the Ramsgate Victoria Pavilion from 1906 while Agnes Richeux leased the Artillery Theatre Woolwich from 1909 After Richeux s death his widow married in 1914 the theatre manager Frank Rolison Littler 1879 1940 who adopted the five children all of whom took his surname 1 The younger son Emile and one of the daughters Blanche also went into theatrical management 2 With Blanche Littler started a theatrical career in 1927 assembling small companies for provincial tours 2 After a stint as resident manager of his parents theatre in Woolwich he became an independent theatre owner in 1931 buying two theatres in Leicester The following year he married a widow Annie Leonora Maclachlan an actress professionally known as Norah Delaney There were no children of the marriage Over the following years he bought theatres in Manchester and Norwich His first London productions were pantomimes at the Coliseum the Prince s and Drury Lane 2 Littler s West End shows included Glamorous Night 1936 Brigadoon 1950 Carousel 1951 Guys and Dolls 1953 Can Can 1954 The Black and White Minstrel Show and Fiddler on the Roof both 1966 1 He presented more than 200 pantomimes in the regions but unlike his younger brother Emile he played no part in writing any of his pantomimes and concentrated wholly on the business side of the theatre 1 Littler was chairman and managing director of three major theatre groups chairman of a fourth Moss Empires From the beginning of commercial television in the UK he was a major shareholder in Associated Television 2 He was a member of the council of the Theatrical Managers Association and vice president of the boards of the Society of West End Theatre Managers Denville Home for Aged Actors and Actresses and the Variety Artistes Benevolent Fund 3 He served on the boards of the South Bank Theatre and the Royal Opera House 1 In 1957 Littler was appointed CBE 3 He retired from production in 1966 and died at his home in Sussex in 1973 at the age of 72 2 Notes edit a b c d Morley Sheridan Littler Prince Frank 1901 1973 Oxford Dictionary of National Biography Oxford University Press 2004 online edition October 2009 retrieved 5 August 2014 subscription or UK public library membership required a b c d e Mr Prince Littler The Times 14 September 1973 p 18 a b Gaye pp 884 885References editGaye Freda ed 1967 Who s Who in the Theatre fourteenth ed London Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons OCLC 5997224 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Prince Littler amp oldid 1218507446, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
